Freeze drying at home

Freeze drying removes water by freezing the food and then turning the ice directly into vapor in a vacuum. The result is lightweight, shelf-stable food that keeps for years and rehydrates well.

Freeze dryers

Home Freeze Dryer Harvest Right Home freeze dryer that removes 99% of moisture for shelf-stable food lasting 25+ years

Why people use it — It preserves flavor and nutrients better than many other methods. Freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, and even full meals are common for camping, emergency kits, or just cutting down on waste by preserving surpluses.

Equipment — Home freeze dryers are a real investment. They’re countertop-sized and use a lot of electricity over a run (often 24–48 hours). If you’re only doing small batches occasionally, it may be hard to justify; if you grow or buy in bulk and want long-term storage, it can pay off. Many people pair a freeze dryer with a vacuum sealer to package the finished food for shelf storage.

Vacuum sealers (often used with freeze drying)

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer FoodSaver Popular countertop vacuum sealer system for food preservation using vacuum bags
NESCO Vacuum Sealer NESCO Vacuum sealers designed to remove air from bags, locking in freshness for various foods

Best candidates — Berries, herbs, cooked meats, dairy, and full meals all freeze dry well. High-fat or high-sugar items can be trickier. On our item pages we mark which foods are good candidates for freeze drying so you can plan what to run first.

Foods you can freeze dry (50)